March4, 2011

Today, Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) issued the following statement in support for his resolution to allow the late Frank Buckles, the last United States veteran of the First World War, to lie in honor in the rotunda of the United States Capitol.

Frank Buckles is the last one; the last American Doughboy, said Poe. Honoring him is our chance to say thank you to the last of a generation. It is the final legacy of those who fought over there. Corporal Frank Buckles of the United States Army should have a full military burial at Arlington Cemetery and lie in honor in the United States Capitol. As we come to the end of this chapter in history and the bugles sound Taps for the lone survivor, I hope that we do the honorable thing,

On February 28, 2011, Congressman Poe filed a resolution in the House of Representatives to allow the late Frank Buckles, the last United States veteran of the First World War, to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol.

Additionally, Poe is the sponsor of the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act. The bill would refurbish and expand the local WWI Memorial on the National Mall for the soldiers of the District of Columbia. Poe has long championed Mr. Buckles efforts to see that the nearly five million American GIs that fought in the War to End All Wars had a place among the memorials that honor our nations heroes.

Congressman Poe was joined by Mr. Buckles in Washington, DC in September 2008 to announce the bill together.

The Rotunda of the United States Capitol is considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay final tribute to its most eminent citizens by having their remains lie in state or in honor. It is the policy of the Architect of the Capitol to only allow elected officials to lie in state. To be granted permission to lie in honor must either be authorized by a congressional resolution or approved by the congressional leadership.